Myles Garrett isn’t no-brainer No. 1 pick, but he’s still the best bet

Akron Beacon Journal | Apr 16

The pre-draft hype surrounding Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is out of control.

After ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the Browns were split on whether to draft Garrett or North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky first overall and conceded a day later a trade down is the team’s third option, the prevailing narrative locally and nationally went something like this:

“What the bleep are they doing? Garrett is so phenomenal that even the Browns can’t screw this up! If they consider anything else, they’re overthinking it. Here we go again.”

Let’s pump the brakes for a moment.

Garrett has All-Pro potential, but he’s not perfect.

And even though the Browns don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt after botching so many decisions — from draft picks to regime changes to uniform makeovers — they shouldn’t be killed for due diligence. The front office and coaches, coming off a 1-15 season, need to nail this draft. Well, guess what? Debate is necessary. Everything must be explored.

To be clear, I expect the Browns to pick Garrett at No. 1 on April 27 and would consider anything else an upset. I’m also cautiously optimistic he’ll live up to expectations.

At the same time, I’m not ready to say he’s a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I won’t pretend to be a coach, scout or draft analyst or to know nearly as much as them, but this is what I saw when I watched 11 of Garrett’s games (five in 2016, when he played through a high-ankle sprain the second half of the season, and six in 2015):

He’s a freak athlete with the elite speed, length and bend off the edge needed to be a dominant pass rusher. But he could use more polished pass-rush moves, he’s just OK against the run and he doesn’t always hustle relentlessly or consistently swarm to the ball.